Garden lover John is a real cut above

West Lothian’s top gardeners have been honoured for their blooming good work to improve the environment.

Winchburgh’s John Cadzow collected the top prize for Best Overall Garden at the annual West Lothian Gardens Competition prize-giving recently.

John’s garden has been consistently among the top gardens in recent years, and won the highest award for its good design and layout, as well as the quality and diversity of plants.

His striking garden caught the eye of judges for its raised begonia beds, dahlias, herbaceous borders, water feature and varieties of colourful roses, complete with manicured lawns and weed-free borders.

Robert Howatson, from Livingston, scooped the Best Newcomer trophy, while Whitburn’s Robert Young earned the Oatridge College Award.

West Lothian Councl’s executive councillor for the environment, Tom Conn, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the winners of this year’s Gardens Competition. Special congratulations go to John Cadzow from Winchburgh for clinching the top award against strong opposition from excellent gardens across West Lothian.

“We know the time and effort made by gardeners across West Lothian to keep their areas blossoming, and it’s great to recognise their achievements.

“It takes a lot of hard work and determination to maintain such high quality gardens, which play a significant role in brightening up the environment in towns and villages across West Lothian.

“Special thanks go to judges Thomas Meenagh from the SRUC Oatridge Campus and Alan Agnew from West Lothian Council for providing their expertise and enthusiasm to the competition this year and in previous years.”

They were joined for the special awards presentation by previously announced winners, Carol Salem from Polbeth Community Garden, which was awarded the Best Community Garden trophy, as well as the gold, silver and bronze plaque winners.

The Best Sunflower award was won by three-year-old Jack Blyth from Winchburgh for his 10ft 8in plant, with Keira Kisielewski from Bathgate and Chloe Robertson from West Calder clinching second and third respectively.

Organisers said the Gardens Competition aims to recognise those who make the extra effort to improve the environment and has been running for over 35 years, attracting gardeners of all ages and abilities.